Bacteria That Eat Plastic | Concord News

Concord News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

Scientists have engineered Shewanella oneidensis bacteria to break down PET plastic—the kind used in bottles and packaging—by boosting its enzyme production. Inspired by how these microbes naturally interact with minerals, researchers turned them into living plastic-eating machines. This breakthrough offers a hopeful, biological solution to global plastic pollution, potentially transforming landfills and oceans. While still in development, the method could one day recycle plastic waste using nature’s own tools, turning trash into food for microbes and paving the way for a cleaner planet…